In an address to the 79th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezhashkian claimed to play a role in establishing peace in the Middle East, while also accusing Israel of supporting terrorism.
Pyzhashkian called on the United Nations to “take stock” of modern history, saying, “Iran has never started a war, it has only defended itself bravely against external aggression, allowing the aggressors to do their own thing.” has regretted,” Pyzhashkian said, adding that Iran would “seize territory or exploit other countries' resources.
“It has repeatedly presented various proposals to its neighbors and international forums aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability,” he said. “We have stressed the importance of unity in the region and the establishment of a strong region.”
Iran's President Masoud Pizshakyan walks on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters on September 24, 2024 in New York. (Reuters/Kaitlin Ochs)
UN Silent, Guterres Demands Hostage Release, Gaza Receives 'Thunderous' Applause
Iran's claims to play a role as a peacemaker in the Middle East stand in stark contrast to its frequent involvement in proxy wars across the region, which it has been heavily involved in in Syria and Yemen, giving it and other powerful Sunnis The lines of division between nations are deepening. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
But Iran's deep involvement in the Middle East extends to another area not usually attempted by any nation-state: terrorism.
Iran's President Masoud Pizshakyan is addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
While Pizshakyan claimed from the podium on Tuesday that Israel both “covertly and overtly” supports the Islamic State, Tehran is widely known to support not only the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. It supports terrorist organizations that strongly oppose it, but it has also helped build bridges. Between the Taliban and al-Qaeda, providing arms, funding and even safe havens to terrorist networks.
Pyzhashkian also claimed that “the Islamic Republic of Iran wants to protect its own security, not create insecurity for others”. “We desire peace for all, and war or strife with none.”
Iran, which has also increasingly aligned itself with the West's top adversaries, such as Russia and North Korea, has tried to claim that it has done so when it comes to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. Has not chosen a side, yet has supplied drones to Moscow and more. More recently, short-range ballistic missiles for their war effort.
Firefighters put out a truck fire at a site where warehouse facilities were targeted during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Morvane village outside Lviv, Ukraine, on September 6, 2024. (Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/handout via REUTERS)
“We seek lasting peace and security for the people of Ukraine and Russia. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes war and emphasizes the urgent need for an end to military hostilities in Ukraine. We support all peaceful solutions, and “I believe that negotiations are the only way to solve this crisis,” the Iranian president said.
Kirby calls Hamas chief Sinwar 'major obstacle' to Israel ceasefire, hostage release deal
“We need a new paradigm for addressing global challenges. Such a paradigm must focus on opportunities rather than risks.”
Pyzhashkian called on “neighboring and brotherly countries” to move forward in unison with Iran, which is better for the Middle East.
But the Iranian president also spoke directly to the U.S., saying Tehran wanted to move beyond past obstacles and move forward with Washington despite President Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and subsequent sanctions and trade embargoes. is , in large part, cut it off from the rest of the world.
“My message to all states pursuing a counterproductive strategy against Iran is to learn from history,” Pyzhashkian said, before calling the US sanctions a “crime against humanity.”
“We have an opportunity to overcome these limitations and enter a new era,” he added.
In this photo taken from a position in northern Israel, a Hezbollah UAV is intercepted by the Israeli Air Force over northern Israel on August 25, 2024. (JALAA MARY/AFP via Getty Images)
But Pizishkian's comments rang hollow for some and were laced with “propaganda,” according to Iran expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy, Behnam Ben Talblo.
Click here to get the Fox News app.
“Short but definitely not sweet,” he told Fox News Digital. “Pezeshkian dangled the prospect of a new diplomatic deal, which his government would use as a verbal shield to counter pressure on its growing nuclear program and support for a multi-front war against Israel. “
“By blaming former President Trump in his speech and bringing the technocratic staff involved in the JCPOA back to 201[8]Pyzhashkian hopes to win favor with certain lobbies in Washington and Europe and run the clock against Snapback, which expires in 2025,” added Ben Telblow. But diplomatic talk with the U.S. Despite Pyzhashkian's ludicrous comments about renewing the talks, he is not expected to draw much support from both sides of the political aisle as it continues to develop nuclear weapons.